Officials during the launching ceremony of Ocean Research Vessel (Yard 3041), officially named ORV Sagar Manthan, at the Rishi Bankim Shipyard, in Kolkata, West Bengal, on September 9, 2026
| Photo Credit: PTI
GRSE on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) launched ‘Sagar Manthan’, an indigenous ocean research vessel being built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), in a major boost to India’s capabilities in deep-sea exploration and scientific research.
A top government official said the ₹840-crore research vessel is expected to be ready for use by early 2028.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh congratulated Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences on the launch and naming of the vessel and conveyed his wishes on the occasion.
Earth Sciences secretary Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, who was present at the launch event, said the vessel is being built as part of the government’s Deep Ocean Mission and will significantly enhance the country’s ability to undertake scientific research in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
“This ship will enhance the capabilities of our scientific community to go out and conduct scientific research in the Indian Ocean region and wherever we have an interest in scientific research,” Mr. Tummala said.
“The vessel was launched at GRSE’s Rishi Bankim Shipyard, barely five months after its keel was laid, highlighting the shipyard’s ability to achieve construction milestones ahead of schedule,” GRSE managing director Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.) said.
The 89.5-metre-long and 18.8-metre-wide vessel has a gross tonnage of 5,900 tonnes and will have a speed of 14 knots at 90 per cent maximum continuous rating.
Mr. Tummala said the vessel would be equipped with advanced scientific systems that would give India an “unparalleled” capability to undertake oceanographic and geophysical research.
It will be capable of carrying out measurements and surveys using sub-bottom profilers, seismic equipment and advanced oceanographic instruments. It will also be equipped with an advanced Doppler weather radar for atmospheric observations.
“The vessel has been designed to operate in severe sea states and will be capable of undertaking research in the equatorial Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Southern Ocean, including waters around Antarctica,” he said. “It has the capability to sail in very high sea states and can be taken to the Southern Ocean.”
The vessel will also be capable of launching and recovering autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) being developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology under the Deep Ocean Mission.
The vessel has been designed to undertake a range of oceanographic and geophysical research activities in coastal seas and deep waters.
“’Sagar Manthan’ will be capable of conducting swath multibeam and geophysical seismic surveys at depths of up to 6 km. It will also undertake Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) profiling and water sampling, including biological sampling using vertical and horizontal nets,” GRSE said.
The vessel will be equipped for surface and deep-sea mooring and data buoy operations, seabed sampling using corers and grabs, and rock dredging.
It will also undertake atmospheric observations, surface meteorological and current measurements and collection of upper-air data.
“Scientists will be able to carry out analytical work and data processing onboard, while the vessel will also provide training and education facilities for scientists and technicians,” GRSE said.
Mr. Tummala said the vessel would also strengthen India’s efforts to explore marine mineral resources, including manganese nodules and polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean region.
“The vessel will be coordinated by the NCPOR under the Ministry of Earth Sciences and will add significantly to the country’s research fleet and capabilities,” Mr. Tummala said.
The vessel is also expected to contribute to the government’s broader blue economy vision by supporting research relevant to marine resources, shipping, energy, logistics, tourism and other ocean-linked sectors.
“It will be a big feather in the research fleet of our ministry and add to the capability of the country,” Mr. Tummala added.
Published – September 09, 2026 03:46 pm IST
